Apparatus for projecting printed bowling game scores



June 25, 1968 E. c. WEBB 3,389,634

APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING PRINTED BOWLING GAME SCORES Original Filed June 6, 1962 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Ernesi C. Webb E. C. WEBB June 25, 1968 APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING PRINTED BOWLING GAME SCORES 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 6 I l 1/ III/I/ll/I 1/141 ORNEY 7 w W e .T W M C V 0% l S e A m E Y E. C. WEBB June 25, 1968 APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING PRINTED BOWLING GAME SCORES original Filed June 6, 1962 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 IIII/I/IIII/I III/ll Alli/1 INVENTOR Ernest C Webb TTORNEYY June 25. 1968 E. c. WEBB 3,389,634

APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING PRINTED BOWLING GAME SCORES Fig.7.

INVENTOR Ernest C. Webb E. C. WEBB June 25, 1968 APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING PRINTED BOWLING GAME SCORES 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed June 6, 1962 use INVENTOR Ernest C. Webb B? 110mm! 7 E. C. WEBB June 25, 1968 APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING PRINTED BOWLING GAME SCORES 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed June 6, 1962 INVENTOR Ernest C. Webb ATTORNEY L EN was

E. C. WEBB June 25, 1968 APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING PRINTED BOWLING GAME SCORES 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed June 6, 1962 mvsmon Ernest C. Webb ATTORNEY June 25, 1968 E. c. WEBB 3,389,634

APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING PRINTED BOWLING GAME SCORES Original Filed June 6, 1962 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR Emest C. Webb United States Patent 3,389,634 APPARATUS FOR PROJECTING PRINTED BOWLING GAME SCORES Ernest C. Webb, Bay Village, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to The Cleveiand Trust C0,, Cleveiand, Ohio (trustee), a banking institution Original appiication June 6, 1962, Ser. No. 209,555, new Patent No. 3,257,898, dated June 28 1966. Divided and this appiication May 24, 1965, Ser. No. 458,262

7 Claims. (CI. 88-24) ABSTRACT OF THE DESCLQSURE Apparatus for projecting onto a screen scores printed on a bowling game score sheet by an automatic printing mechanism that is operatively connected to apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score, without the introduction of the printing mechanism itself into the projected image. This is accomplished by positioning a bowling game score sheet on the surface of a transparent member. The score sheet has characters printed on one side of the sheet by the automatic printing mechanism and the characters are projected from the other side of the score sheet as an image formed by reflected light passing through the transparent member. Optical projection apparatus focuses an image of the printed score formed by reflection onto a projection screen.

This application is a division of copending application Ser. No. 200,555, filed June 6, 1962, now Patent No. 3,257,898 issued June 28, 1966 and assigned to the assignee of the present application.

As an overall object, the present invention seeks to provide apparatus for projecting onto a screen or the like bowling game scores printed on a score sheet, which apparatus will facilitate substantially continuous viewing of the score sheet, but not the printing apparatus, during the progress of a game.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide apparatus for projecting scores printed on a bowling game score sheet in much the same way as scores, manually entered on a score sheet, are presently projected. That is, the apparatus projects substantially the entire sheet at all times except when the printing apparatus, corresponding to the scorekeepers hand in manual scoring, obstructs a portion of the sheet during the time that an entry is being made.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided, in combination with apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score in a bowling game, a score sheet, mechanism operatively connected to the detecting and totalizing apparatus for printing the totalized score on the score sheet, a projection screen, and optical projection apparatus for projecting an image of the entirety of the score sheet with scores printed thereon onto the projection screen while avoiding introduction of the printin mechanism into the projected image.

Preferably, the score sheet is formed from material through which light will pass and is held stationary in close abutting relationship with a transparent backing plate such that the source of projection light is on the side of the plate opposite the score sheet. While the printing apparatus will ordinarily necessarily be included in the projected image during the instant that the score is being printed, at all other times it does not appear in the image. This is in contrast to most printing devices for stationary sheets wherein the printing device ordinarily obstructs at least a portion of the sheet at all times.

The above and other objects and features of the inven- Ice tion will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a pair of bowling alleys showing the location of the projector of the present invention and the screens onto which the printed score is projected;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the projector console;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view looking toward the front of the projector of the invention and showing the location of the reflecting mirrors therein;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line IVIV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the score sheet clip or holder for the projector of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIVI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the score sheet clip or holder of the invention showing the manner in which the score sheet is held therein;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the printing apparatus used in connection with the present invention showing an alternative arrangement for holding the score sheet in close abutting relationship with the transparent plate above it;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the inflatable bag of FIG. 8 used to hold the score sheet in close abutting relationship with the transparent plate;

FIG. 10 is an end view of a holder for the mirrors shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of the invention for inserting and clamping the score sheet between the transparent and opaque plates of the aforesaid printing apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the clamp of the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12 taken substantially along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the score printing console incorporating the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and illustrating the arrow means for indicating the player who is bowling in a game;

FIG. 15 is a top view of a player tab assembly comprising a plurality of tabs with carbon paper therebetween, the assembly being insertable in a holder adjacent the player pushbuttons shown in FIG. 14 and thereafter separated in order that one of the tabs may be attached to the completed score sheet;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative form of the projector wherein the score is projected onto ground glass screens; and

FIG. 17 is an end view of the projector of FIG. 16.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, a pair of adjacent bowling alleys A and B are each provided with a pin deck 10 at the forward end of the alley and a foul line 12 at the opposite end. Ahead of each foul line 12 is an approach area 14; and between the approach areas 14 is a space 16, which space is occupied between the alleys A and B proper by gutters 18. In the usual case, a ball return, not shown, will also be provided, said ball return having a ball rack in the area 16. Behind each of the pin decks 10 is a pit, generally indicated at 19; and behind each pit is a backstop 20.

The projector 21 of the present invention is positioned over the top of a console 22 which houses automatic scoring, totalizing and printing apparatus such as that shown in US. Patent No. 3,124,355. Actually, the console 22 houses two automatic scoring, totalizing and printing units, one for each of the alleys A and B. Each unit includes printing apparatus which prints the score on the underside of a transparent or translucent score sheet, the score being visible through a transparent plate positioned above the score sheet in the top of console 22. Behind the projector 21 on the console 22 are pushbuttons 24, one set of pushbuttons being provided for each of the alleys A and B. By reference to the aforesaid US. Patent No. 3,124,355, it will be understood that as each bowler prepares to bowl, he pushes one of the buttons 24 which is beside his name on a tab inserted adjacent the buttons 2d. Thereafter, when he delivers balls in each frame, the ball results of each ball will be printed on the score sheet and the score added to his previous score in the circuitry within console 22. In addition, upon completion of the frame, his score will be printed in his frame box corresponding to the frame being played if no marks have been made in that frame. If marks have been made in the frame being played, then the score is not printed at that time but stored preparatory to printing after the next or successive frames in accordance with the rules of the American Bowling Congress. Suspended above each alley A and B is a luminescent screen 26 or 28, respectively, onto which the printed score is rojected by the projector 21.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the top of console 22 is provided with the aforesaid two transparent plates 30 and 32 underneath which are the score sheets, one for each alley. If desired, the projector 21 may be removed from the console 22 and the score sheets observed directly through the transparent plates 36 and 32. Behind the plates 3t and 32 are the pushbuttons 24 already described, one of these pushbuttons being provided for each player, the arrangement being such that each player presses his pushbutton when he prepares to bowl in accordance with the teachings of the aforesaid US. Patent No. 3,124,355. Projecting upwardly from the console 22 is a conduit 34 which conveys cooling air through an opening 36 in the projector 21 and across the tops of the transparent plates 30 and 32 in a manner hereinafter described. Extending out of the front of projector 21 are tubes or cylinders 38 and 40 which house lenses for the purpose of projecting the score onto the screens 26 and 28 of FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the projector 21 is shown resting on the top 42 of the console 22. It comprises an outer housing 44 (FIG. 4) having a frontal face through which the lens-carrying tubes 33 and 40 project. Carried within the housing 44 is a generally rectangular structure comprising a front plate 46, a rear plate 48 of smaller height, and a pair of side plates 50, only one of which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Carried within the generally rectangular structure defined by plates 46, 48 and 58 are a second pair of spaced plates 52 and 54, only the single plates 52 being shown in FIG. 3. Extending between the plates 52 and 54 is a housing assembly 56 comprising an upper arcuate portion having a reflective upper surface 60. Depending downwardly from the arcuate portion 58 are skirt portions 62 and 64; and at the bottom of the skirt portions 62 and 64 are arcuate plates 66 and 68 which form passageways 70 and 72 between the interior of the housing structure 56 and the upper surface 42 of the console 22. It will be noted that the passageways 70 and 72 terminate at the edges of the transparent plates 30 and 32.

With reference to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the conduit 34 extends through the opening 36 in the outer housing 44 and communicates with the interior of the structure defined by the housing assembly 56. A blower or other source of air under pressure, not shown, is connected to the conduit 34 beneath top 42 such that air will be forced into the interior of the housing structure 56 as indicated by the arrows 74 in FIG. 4. This air under pressure will then be forced out through the passageways 7t) and 72 along the general path of the arrows 76 shown in FIG. 3, this air being used for cooling purposes as will hereinafter be explained.

Provided in the plates 52 and 54 above the housing structure 56 are slots 78 which receive the terminal connectors 8d of a mercury arc lamp 82. As best shown in FIG. 4, the lamp 32 extends along the en-Jire length between the spaced plates 52 and 54 above the arcuate portion 58, the arrangement being such that any light directed onto the reflective surface 60 from the lamp Will be reflected directly back to the lamp along lines 84, for example. Above the lamp 82 and extending between the plates 52 and 54 is a structure 36 comprising a pair of parabolic reflectors 8S and which serve to direct the light from the lamp 82 through the transparent plates 30 and 32, respectively, along lines 92, for example and onto score sheets 93 and 95 positioned therebeneath. In this respect, it will be understood that the lamp 82, being of the mercury arc type, provides an intense line source of light. Side reflectors 83 and S5 serve to concentrate any stray light beams onto the plates 39 and 32.

From the score sheet 93 beneath transparent plate 30, for example, the light is reflected along line 94 to 21 mirror 96, and from mirror 96 along line 98 to a second mirror 139. Finally, light reflected from the mirror ill!) along line 162 is reflected from mirror 1G6 and along line 198 out through the tube or cylinder 40 and the lenses carried therein where it is projected onto the screen 28 (FIG. 1). In a somewhat similar manner, the light reflected from the score sheet 95 beneath the transparent plate 32 is directed along line where it is reflected from mirror 112 and along line 114 to mirror 116. FinaL ly, the light reflected from mirror 116 along line 118 is reflected from a third mirror 120 and along line 122 and through the tube or cylinder 38 and the lenses carried therein to the screen 26. As shown, the various mirrors are supported on the plates 50 or 46 by means of mirror holders, generally indicated at 124.

As best shown in FIG. 10, each mirror holder comprises a shaft 126 which is secured to a generally arcuate plate 123 having inwardly-bent portions 139 at its opposite ends. Each inwardly-bent portion 130 terminates in a downwardly-extending portion 132 disposed at an angle of approximately 45 with respect to a mirror 134 held by the holder. In this manner, it can be seen that the mirror 134 is securely held between the median lower surface of the arcuate portion 123 and the 45 end portions 132 which serve to urge the edges of the mirror inwardly and upwardly by virtue of their 45 angularity. As will be understood, this arrangement provides a simple and inexpensive means for securely holding the various mirrors in position.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, immediately adjacent the sides of the transparent plates 30 and 32 are guideways 136 and 138, each comprising a pair of abutting strips of thin stainless steel or the like which are relatively flexible in nature. Only the one guideway 136 is shown in FIG. 4. These guideways 136 and 138 serve to hold the transparent plates 30 or 32 against the underside of the top plate 42 of console 22 and also serve to receive a clip, hereinafter described, which holds the score sheet 93 or 95 in position beneath each transparent plate. Underneath each transparent plate is a score printing mechanism, the details of which may be understood by reference to the aforesaid US. Patent No. 3,124,355. Each printing mechanism includes printing wheels, schematically illustrated at 144 which are adapted to move upwardly and into engagement with the score sheet $3 or 95 to print numerals thereon. The printing wheels 1140 are carried on a carriage, generally indicated at 142. This carriage is adapted to move in one direction parallel to the long transverse dimension of the score sheet and in a second direction perpendicular thereto. In this manner, the printing wheels can move over the entire surface of the score sheet such that they will be positioned beneath a particular frame box in any player line. Carried on the carriage 142 above the printing wheels 149 is a light-colored opaque plate 144 having its transverse dimension substantially equal to twice those of the transparent plate 30 or 32 such that a light-colored background will be provided beneath the transparent plate regardless of the position of the printing wheels therebeneath. Provided in the plate 144 is an aperture or opening 146 through which the printing wheels 140 project. Covering the aperture 146 is a shutter 148, the arrangement being such that in order to print on the score sheet 93 or 95, the printing wheels 148 will be moved upwardly, whereupon the shutter 148 will be moved downwardly to uncover the aperture 146 and permit the printing characters on wheels 140 to make contact with the underside of the score sheet 93 or 95. When the printing wheels again move downwardly, the shutter 148 will move upwardly to again cover the aperture 146.

As was mentioned above, in order to project a reasonably satisfactory image onto the screen or 28, it is of primary importance that the light-colored background provided by the plate 144 be as close to the score sheet 93 or 95 as possible. In this respect, it has been found that a spacing of as little as of an inch will materially reduce the quality of the image produced. Therefore, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, means are provided for resiliently urging the plate 144 upwardly into engagement with the underside of the score sheet 93 or 95 to minimize the spacing therebetween. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, this means includes pins 159 secured to the underside of the plate 144. One set of pins on one side of the plate 144 extend downwardly through openings in the top flange of backing plate 152 of the printing mechanism; whereas the other set of pins on the other side of the plate 144 project through flanges extending outwardly from end plate 156 extending outwardly from the backing plate 152. Each pin 150 is provided with a collar 158, and between these collars and lower flanges 169 and 162 are coil springs 164, the arrangement being such that the springs will urge the pins 159 and the plates 144 carried thereby upwardly and into engagement with the underside of the transparent plate 39 or 32. The springs 164 will resiliently but snugly urge the plate 144 into engagement with the underside of the score sheet 93 or 95, but will nevertheless permit the plate 144 to slide over the underside without a great deal of frictional resistance between the two.

As was mentioned above, the mercury arc lamp 82 creates a great deal of heat, this being an incident of the large amount of light required to produce a satisfactory image for projection by reflection methods. Since the score sheet 93 or 95 will remain under its corresponding transparent plate or 32 during an entire bowling game, the heat generated could very well scorch the score sheet. Accordingly, the upper surfaces of the transparent plates 36 and 32 are each provided with a coating which reflects a major portion of the heat-producing infrared rays while passing the remainder of the light. Furthermore, the underside of each of the plates 30 and 32 is provided with a surface which minimizes reflection at the underside of each plate so that the light will pass through the plates and be reflected from the score sheet itself. It has been found that the transparent plates 30 and 32 will heat up to a temperature which will damage the score sheet in the absence of some type of cooling means. Accordingly, cooling is provided for these plates by passing an air stream from passages 70 and 72 across the tops of the plates 30 and 32. In the cooling process, the air passes from conduit 34 into the space defined by the housing assembly 56, and thence through the passageways 70 and 72 which extend along one edge of each of the transparent plates and across the tops of these transparent plates, thereby carrying away heat to lower the temperature of the apparatus and prevent scorching of the score sheets.

In order to insert the score sheet 93 or 95 into the space between the transparent plate 31) or 32 and its associated opaque backing plate 144, a clip such as that shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 is provided. The clip comprises a pair of elongated sides 168 and 170 each comprising a pair of superimposed stainless strips 172 and 174 (FIG. 6). Extending between the side members 168 and 170 and interposed between the stainless steel strips 172 and 174 of each side member are spacers 1'76, 178, 189 and 182. As shown, each of the spacers 176182 is spot'welded to its associated side members 168 and 170 as at 134. The left end of the clip is bent upwardly as at 186 to provide a handle which may easily be grasped by the fingers. Slideable between the laminated stainless steel strips 172 and 174 of each side member 168 and 171) are a pair of members 188 and 190, and spot-welded to each of these slideable members are a pair of strips 192, possibly best shown in FIG. 6. The clip is shown in FIG. 5 with the score sheet 93, 95 removed and with the slideable bars or members 18S removed from the spacers 178 and 180. In order to insert the score sheet into the clip, it will be initially stretched between the spacers 178 and 180, and the slideable members 188 and 191) moved toward the spacers 178 and 13%) whereby the strips 192 will pass over and engage the ends of the score sheet to hold it in position as shown in 1 16. 7 wherein the members 188 and are moved toward the strips 178 and 180 to pass strips 192 over the ends of the score sheet and hold it in position.

In order to insert the clip and the score sheet held thereby between the transparent plate 30 or 32 and its associated opaque backing plate 144, the clip is inserted, right end first as viewed in FIG. 7, into a slot 193- (FIG. 4) provided in the top 42 of console 22. When the end of the clip is passed into the slot 193 in this manner, it will pass along the guideways 138 and 136 each comprising a pair of superimposed stainless steel strips or the like; and since the strips 172 and 174 of the clip are flexible as are the strips which form the guideways 136 and 133, the clip will pass under the transparent plate 39 or 32 while forcing the opaque backing plate 144 downwardly. The clip is pushed all of the Way into the slot 193 such that only the handle portion 186 extends out of it, whereupon the score sheet 93 or 95 will be directly beneath the transparent plate 30 or 32. In order to remove the clip and the score sheet carried thereby at the end of a game, the clip is merely grasped by its handle 186 and pulled out of the slot 193.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 7, it will be noted that notched or angled portions 194 and 196 are provided for each of the spacers 180 and 182, respectively. These arenecessary since the clip must pass over the shutter 148 shown in FIG. 3. That is, the shutter 148 will project above the upper surface of the opaque backing plate 144, and if the forward edge of spacer 182 were straight, it would engage the shutter 148 which would prevent or impede its passage further into the slot 193 and along guideways 136 and 138. By virtue of the angled portion 196, however, this portion will progressively engage the shutter to push it downwardly whereby the clip may pass thereover. The angled portion 194 operates in the same manner when the clip is pulled out of the guideways 136, 138 and the slot 193. That is, it will progressively engage the shutter 148 to force it downwardly and permit the clip to pass thereover. The angled portions 194 and 196 are provided at one side of the clip only since, when a game begins or ends, the printing wheels will always be over the first frame of the first line on the score sheet, generally indicated at 198 in FIG. 7. This frame, it will be noted, is directly in line with the angled portions 194 and 196.

With reference now to FIG. 8, one of the pri'tfng wheels is shown in greater detail and comprises a central disc 200 having a plurality of raised printing characters 262 in its periphery. In a printing operation, the backing plate 152 and the printing wheel 2% are moved upwardly by means, not shown herein. The shutter 148, however, is connected through a linkage 264 to part of the printing mechanism which also does not move upwardly so that as the printing wheels move upwardly, the shutter will be pulled downwardly to expose or uncover the aperture 146 above the printing wheels. Movable over the tops of the printing wheels is a roll of tape 296, the tape being guided between pairs of curved stainless steel plates 208 on either side of the printing wheel 2%. The tape 2.66 is carried on a supply reel 21%) and thereafter passes over a roller 211 into the space between the plates 20 8, thereby passing over the aperture 146 in plate 144. Thereafter, it passes over a driven roll 214 and thence to a takeup reel 216 which is continuously urged to rotate in the direction of the arrow by a slip clutch arrangement, not shown herein. The roll 214 is driven through gears 21S and 220, the gear 226 being keyed or otherwise securely fastened to a shaft 222 which rotates during each printing operation. Beneath the roll 214 is an idler roll 224- connected to a solenoid 226, the arrangement being such that when the solenoid is energized, the roll 224 will he urged upwardly into engagement with roll 214, thereby advancing the tape which is taken up on the roll 216. For a full and detailed description of the operation of the tape mechanism reference may be had to the aforesaid US. Patent No. 3,124,355.

It has been found that in addition to the heating of the score sheet mentioned above, the carbon tape 2.06 will also become heated. Accordingly, a conduit 228 supplies air under pressure into the area of the printing tape to thereby carry away heat in much the same manner as heat is carried away from the tops of plates 30 and 32. The air from conduit 228, of course, also serves to cool at least a portion or" the bottom of the opaque backing plate 144 and the score sheet above it.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 8, the opaque backing plate 144 is not spring-loaded as it is in FIG. 3. Rather, an inflatable bag 230 of polyethylene or the like is inserted into the space between the plate 144 and the score sheet 93 or 95 for the purpose of urging the score sheet into snug abutting relationship with the underside of the transparent plate 30 or 32. The inflatable plastic bag is probably best shown in FIG. 9 and comprises parallel sheets of plastic which are Preferably heat sealed at their edges. In addition, an aperture 232 is cut into the bag 230 and heat sealed around its edges to provide an opening above the aperture 146 in plate 144 such that the printing wheels may pass therethrough. As was mentioned above, the inflatable bag 230 is preferably polyethylene, although any plastic material which has a slippery surface so as to provide minimized frictional contact between the bag and the score sheet may be used. The plastic, which is normally translucent, must be colored to provide a white brilliancy to facilitate the necessary light-colored background for the translucent score sheet. The bag, when inflated, will provide the necessary snug abutting backup for the score sheet, but at the same time, because of its slippery surface, will not impede movement of the plate 144 and the printing wheels underneath over the surface of the score sheet, nor will it impede insertion or withdrawal of the score sheet-carrying clip into the guideways 136 and 138. Preferably, the inflatable plastic bag 230 is glued to the upper surface of backing plate 144, although any fastening means may be used to suit requirements.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 disclose another arrangement of the invention wherein the clip of FIGS. -7 and the guideways 136 and 138 (FIG. 3) may be entirely eliminated. With reference to FIG. 11, it will be noted that the transparent plate 30 is held on the upper plate or surface 42' of console 22 by means of clamps 246, each of which includes a lower flanged portion 242 which overlaps the edge of the transparent plate 39, and a shank portion 244 having its upper end threaded for the reception of a nut 246. The plate 1% is directly beneath the transparent plate 3% as in the previous embodiment and is spring biased upwardly by means similar to springs 164 in FIG. 3, the force of the springs being indicated by the arrows 248, in FIG. 11.

At either end of the transparent plate 30' are clamps 256 and 252. Both clamps are identical and comprise a lower plate 254 sandwiched between the upper plate 42 of the console and the opaque backing plate 144'. Spotwelded or otherwise securely fastened to the opposite ends of plate 254 are two upwardly-extending pins 256 having reduced diameter portions at their upper ends for the reception of a crossbar 258. The aforesaid upper reduced diameter portions of the pins 256 are threaded and receive nuts 260 whereby the bar 258 may be securely held to the pins. Surrounding the pins between the upper surface 42' of the console and the underside of bar 258 are coil springs 262, the arrangement being such that the springs will normally urge bar 258 and the plate 254 upwardly into close abutting relationship with the underside of the top plate of the console. As will be understood, however, the plate 254 may be moved downwardly on either clamp 25% or 252 by simply depressing the bar 258. For this purpose, a button 264 is provided at the center of each bar 258 and is adapted to engage a cam lever 266 which is pivoted to the upper surface 42' as at 268, the arrangement being such that each cam lever may be rotated in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 12. With particular reference to FIGS. 11 and 13, it will be noted that the upper portion 270 of each cam lever 266 is beveled or slanted such that when the cam lever 266 is rotated to the right as viewed in FIG. 13, for example, the bar 258 and plate 254 will be moved downwardly. Conversely, when the cam lever 266 is moved to the left as viewed in FIG. 13, the springs 262 will force the bar 258 and plate 254 upwardly.

Provided at the forward end of the upper surface 42' is an inclined slot 272. In order to load the translucent or the like score sheet 273 into the apparatus, the cam levers are initially rotated to depress the bars 258 and plates 254. In this process, the opaque, light-colored backing plate 144' is also depressed so as to leave a space between the transparent plate 30 and the plate 144. Thereafter, the forward edge of the score sheet 273 is inserted through the slot 272, and as the score sheet is pushed into the slot, its forward edge will engage the upper surface of plate 144 and pass over the plate 254 for clamp 250. Thereafter, the score sheet will pass between the pins 256 for clamp 250, these pins acting as edge guides for the score sheet as it is advanced into the space between plates 30 and 144'. Additionally, other pins may be provided in alignment with pins 256 if desired.

After passing beneath the transparent plate 30 the score sheet passes over the forward edge of the plate 254 for clamp 252. If desirable or necessary, edge guiding pins on either side of the score sheet may be provided at the right end of the transparent plate 30' as viewed in FIGS. 11 and 12 for the purpose of correctly registering the score sheet. In most cases, however, the score sheet can be correctly registered without the necessity for such guiding pms. Preferably, a mark or registering line will be provided on the transparent plate 30 which can be aligned with a corresponding mark or line on the score sheet such that the player can easily determine when the score sheet is properly positioned.

After the score sheet is once positioned, the cam levers 266 will be rotated in the opposite direction, whereby the plates 254 will move upwardly to clamp the sheet to the underside of the upper surface 42. At the same time, the plate 144, being spring-loaded, will also move upwardly into close abutting relationship with the score sheet so as to provide a good background therefor. If desirable or necessary, the score sheet, being of thin translucent paper and relatively flexible, may be initially attached to a thin sheet of transparent Mylar or the like having a thickness of 0.007 to 0.010 inch, the score sheet being attached to this Mylar backing plate by pressure sensitive gum spots or the like. Another possibility is to provide a score sheet which itself is formed of Mylar or other similar plastic, and having one side frosted whereby printed characters may be produced thereon. Still another arrangement is to have the outline of the score sheet {i.e., the lines and frames) printed or otherwise produced on the underside ef the transparent plate 30', in which case the translucent score sheet inserted into the slot 272 may be blank to eliminate all problems in aligning the score sheet beneath the transparent plate. In this latter case, hereinafter more fully described, the completed score sheet would have only the printed characters thereon, however this will nevertheless serve as a permanent record since the frame-to-frarne and total score of each player will be registered along a straight line on the completed score sheet.

With reference now to FIG. 14, the apertue 146' in the opaque backing plate 144' is directly beneath the first frame for the first player on the score sheet. This is the position assumed at the beginning of a bowling game. Note that the length of plate 144' on either side of the aperture 146 is equal to the length of the ten frame boxes and that the width of plate 144 above and below the aperture 146 is equal to the width of the five lines on the score sheet. This is necessary in order to have the backing plate 1 34 cover the complete score sheet regardless of which frame is being played. As was mentioned above, the oqaque backing plate 14-4 is light-colored, preferably white. It is, of course, highly desirable to provide a means for readily appraising the bowlers playing a game to which player line the printing apparatus will print on. It mi ht happen, for example, that bowler No. 1 might depress the N0. 2 pushbutton rather than his correct No. 1 pushbutton. In this case, the aperture 146 and the printing wheels beneath it would move to the second player line in accordance with the teachings of the aforesaid US. Patent No. 3,124,355.

In order to readily appraise the players of the player line on which the score will be entered, an arrow 280 is provided on the light-colored opaque backing plate 144' and extends from the right edge of the aperture 146' as viewed in FIG. 14 to the right edge of the plate 144. It has been found that when the arrow is red, black printed characters on the score sheet which are over that red arrow can nevertheless be readily distinguished, even when the score sheet is projected onto a screen by the projector previously described. The arrow will be beneath printed characters when, for example, a strike, spare, or double is made during a bowling game, necessitating the aperture 146 and printing wheels to move to the left of ball results which have already been printed in succeeding frames. Let us assume, for example, that strikes have been achieved in the first and second frames, meaning that no score will be entered in these frames until the third frame is played. Before the score is entered in the first frame, however, the ball results of the first ball delivered in the third frame will be printed in the third frame box, whereupon the aperture 14-6 and the printing wheels therebeneath will move backwardly to the first frame. This means that the arrow will new cover the printed ball results in both the second and third frames, and if the arrow should be black or the like, it will obscure the printed characters. On the other hand, if it is a light color such as yellow it will not be readily distinguishable, particular when the score sheet is projected onto a screen. The red color, however, provides a good compromise whereby the arrow may be readily seen and at the same time will not obscure the ball results printed in any of the frames.

In FIG. 14 it will be noted that adjacent the player pushbuttons 24 are a pair of parallel clips or guideways 282 and 284- which receive a player tab assembly, generally indicated at 286. Printed on the player tab assembly 2% are player lines 283 on which the names of the respective players may be written such that each name will appear adjacent the pushbutton 24 which that player should depress before he bowls. To the side of the player lines 288 are a series of ten boxes for each player, these boxes being available for manually recording with a pencil, if desired, such additional data as provisional balls delivered during the game.

With reference to FIG. 15, it can be seen that the player tab assembly 286 comprises three laminated sheets 290, 2.92 and 294 having identical, superimposed printing thereon (i.e., the player lines 288 and adjacent boxes). Sheets of carbon paper, not shown, are interposed between the sheets 290, 292 and 292, 294 such that the players name and other information entered on the first sheet 290 will automatically be entered on the other two sheets also. The left-hand edges of the sheets 290-294 are bound or glued together and provided with a perforated line 296 such that each sheet may be torn from the other along this line.

As was mentioned above, the outline of the score sheet (i.e., the lines and frames) may be printed or otherwise produced on the underside of the transparent plate such that the score sheet itself may be blank. An arrangement of this sort is particularly adaptable for use with a score sheet feed arrangement of the type shown in copending application Ser. No. 166,633 filed Jan. 16, 1962 and assigned to the assignees of the present application. In that application, the score sheet material is stored on a roll within the console 22 and is threaded between the transparent plate 30' or 32 (FIG. 3) and the opaque backing plate 144 with its forward end terminating at a slot somewhat similar to the slot 272 shown in FIG. 14. In the case of a continuous roll, however, a combined clamp and shear is provided adjacent the slot through which the score sheet material passes in order that the end of the continuous score sheet material may be clamped during a printing operation, and the score sheet there after pulled out of the slot until its trailing end is beneath the shear, at which point the completed score sheet is severed from the remainder of the continuous roll. A continuous roll arrangement of this type eliminates all problems in insertin the score sheet between the transparent and backing plates; and since the outline of the score sheet is provided on the back of the transparent plate above it, all problems of aligning the score sheet are likewise eliminated. In the usual case, a continuous roll of score sheet material will have its trailing end secured to the core of the spool on which it is stored, the arrangement being such that when the spool is empty, the trailing end of the score sheet material will not be pulled out of the space between the transparent and backing plates. Rather, the leading end of a new spool of score sheet material may be attached to the trailing end of the previous spool and the continuous material pulled through the space between the transparent and backing plates. Thus, the score sheet need be threaded through the machine only once.

With reference again to FIG. 15, it will be seen that the back of the sheet 2%- of the player tab assembly 286 may be provided with a strip of pressure-sensitive gum 298 such that a completed score sheet 330 may be attached thereto. This arrangement, of course, is particularly adpatable for use with a score sheet which does not have the player lines and frames printed thereon. That is, a completed score sheet of this type will have the ball results for each frame and progressive score for each player extending along a straight line which can be readily aligned with that players name on the tab 2%. Thus, in observing the completed score sheet, any player can readily observe his frame-to-frame and final score along a straight line extending adjacent his name together with his ball results achieved in each frame.

In playing the game with apparatus in which the score sheet is blank and the player lines and frames are scribed 1 l on the bottom of the transparent plate 36 or 32, the players names are entered on the top sheet 2 39 or" the player tab assembly 2% whereby these names wil be impressed also on the sheets 292 and 294 by virtue of the carbon paper between them. Thereafter, the sheets 2%- 29d torn apart; one is slipped beneath the guideways 282 and :84 adjacent pushbuttons 24; the second is slipped beneath the transparent plate 30 or 32. so that each playcrs name will appear adjacent his frame-to-frame score; and the third will be given to the bowling alley proprietor or used as a spare. Thus, even though the score sheet is blank one of the player tabs will be inserted over it so that the players names will be projected onto the screens just as if they were entered directly on the score sheet.

With reference now to FIGS. 16 and 17 another embodiment of the projector is shown wherein the score is projected onto ground glass screens 302 and 304 at the back of a casing 3% for the projector. With this ar- Bill, the score sheet beneath the transparent plate 353, for example, may be projected onto screen 302; whereas that beneath the transparent plate 32 may be projected into screen 364.

The lighting means for the projector is the same as that shown in FIG. 3 and comprises a mercury arc lamp S2 togethc with a lower housing 5'? and upper reflector A blower, not shown, is connected through conduit 34 to the housing 56 such that a stream of cooling air will be blown across the tops of the transparent plates. Thus, this part of the projector of FIGS. 16 and 37 is the same as that shown in FIG. 3. in this case, however, the image of the score sheet is reflected from first mirror 3% and thereafter passes through a lens system 316 where it is reduced in size and intensified. From the lens system 33$ the image is reflected from mirrors 312, 314 and 316 onto the ground glass screen 362. The mirror system for the other alley will be similar to that shown except that the mirrors will be arranged to project the image of the other score sheet onto the upper ground glass screen 392. The arrangement of the mirrors 398, 312, 314- and 326 as shown herein is for illustrative purposes only, it being understood that any suitable optical system may be employed which will project an image of the score sheet onto an associated one of the screens 362 or 394.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with certain specific embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made to suit requirements, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. in combination with apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score in a bowling game, a score sheet located in close proximity to the appr-oach area of a bowling alley and positioned in substantially abutting relationship with a surface of a transparent member, said score sheet being characterized in that characters printed on one side of the sheet may be projected from the other side as an image formed by reflected light passing through said transparent member, printing mechanism also located at the approach area of said bowling alley on the side of the score sheet opposite the transparent member, said printing mechanism being operatively connected to said apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score in a bowling game and being adapted to print scores on said one side of the score sheet such that they may be projected f om the other side of the score sheet as said image, a projection screen positioned above said alley ahead of said score sheet and the printing apparatus, and optical projection apparatus located at the approach area of said bowling alley for directing light through said transparent member toward said other side of the score sheet and for focusing an image of the printed score formed by reflection onto said projection screen.

2. In combination with apparatus for automaticall detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score in a bowling game, a transparent member having a generally horizontal surface, a score sheet in close substantially abutting relationship with the said surface and parallel thereto, said score sheet lying in a substantially common plane with said surface and being characterized in that printed characters on one side or" the sheet may be projected from the other side of the sheet, a carriage adapted to move toward and away from said substantially horizontal surface, printing means on said carriage and adapted to produce printed characters on said sheet when the sheet is in substantial abutment with said horizontal surface, said printing means being operatively connected to said apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score whereby the printing means will print the score on said score sheet, a source of light positioned on the side of said horizontal surface opposite said printing means and said score sheet, reflector means for directing light through said transparent member and onto said substantially common plane, and lens means for focusiu g light reflected from said substantially common plane onto said screen whereby the score printed on the score sheet will be visible on said screen.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said generally horizontal surface of the transparent member has generally opaque lines thereon defining frame boxes, the frame boxes appearing in the projected image.

4. In combination with apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score in a bowling game, a transparent member having a generally flat surface, a score sheet in close substantially abutting relationship With said fiat surface and parallel thereto, said score sheet being characterized in that characters printed on one side of the sheet may be viewed as a projected image resulting from light passing through said transparent memher and impinging against at least a portion of said score sheet, a source of light on the side of said surface of the transparent member opposite said score sheet, optical means for directing light through said transparent member toward said surface and score sheet, a projection screen, optical means for focusing an image of said printed characters onto said screen, said image being formed by reflected light passing through said transparent member, printing apparatus on the side of said score sheet opposite said transparent member and adapted to produce printed characters on said sheet, said printing means being operatively connected to said apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score whereby the printing means will print the score on said score sheet, and means for preventing introduction of the printing ap paratus into the image of said printed characters focused onto said screen.

5. In combination with apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score in a bowling game, a transparent member having a generally flat surface, a score sheet in close substantially abutting relationship with said fiat surface and parallel thereto, said score sheet being characterized in that characters printed on one side of the sheet may be viewed as an image projected from the other side of the sheet, generally opaque lines on said generally flat surface of the transparent member defining frame score boxes, means responsive to reflected light passing through said transparent member for forming a projected image of said printed scores and said generally opaque lines defining frame score boxes, and printing means on the side of said score sheet opposite said transparent member and adapted to produce printed characters on said sheet, said printing means being operatively connected to said apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score whereby the printing means will print the score on said score sheet.

6. In combination with apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score in a bowling game, a transparent member having a generally flat surface, a score sheet in close substantially abutting relationship with said flat surface and parallel thereto, said score sheet being characterized in that characters printed on the obverse side thereof may be viewed as an image projected from the reverse side thereof, printing means for producing printed characters on the obverse side of said score sheet, said printing means being operatively connected to said apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and, for totalizing the score in a bowling game, and means responsive to refiected light passing through said transparent member for forming and projecting an image of printed characters on the reverse side of said score sheet which is in abutment with said transparent member.

7. In combination with apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score in a bowling game, a generally horizontal transparent plate, a score sheet beneath said transparent plate in close abutting relationship therewith and parallel thereto, said score sheet being characterized in that printed characters on one side of the sheet may be viewed from the other side of the sheet, an opaque plate positioned beneath said score sheet and parallel thereto, an aperture in said opaque plate, a carriage adapted to move toward and away from said transparent plate, printing means on said carriage projecting through said aperture and adapted to produce printed characters on said sheet when the sheet is interposed between the transparent plate and said opaque plate and the carriage moves toward the transparent plate, said printing means being operatively connected to said apparatus for automatically detecting pinfall and for totalizing the score whereby the printing means will print the totalized score on said score sheet, means for urging said opaque plate upwardly into snug abutting relationship with said score sheet whereby the score sheet is also urged into snug abutting relationship with the underside of said transparent plate, a source of light extending along a generally straight line above and to one side of the transparent plate and substantially parallel to said one side of the plate, reflector means having a cross section forming an arc of a circle beneath said source of light, a parabolic reflector above the light source for directing light through the transparent plate and onto the score sheet, a projection screen, and lens means above the transparent plate for focusing light reflected from said score sheet onto said screen whereby the totalized score printed on the score sheet will be visible on said screen.

I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,813,455 11/1957 Fitzgerald 8824 3,124,355 3/1964 Mentzer et a1 ss-24 3,249,002 5/1966 Roop s3 24 NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD M. SHEER, Assistant Examiner. 

